Signs of Winter
It happened. This year, the winter season kicked off with a few good, heavy pouring, rain storms. For us, winter is the rainy season. It’s just that the past few years have been light on the rain. So after a community, collective sigh of relief that the rain damped any chance of an October fire storm, we sloshed around at all the rain and marveled at seeing water were we haven’t for months. Signs of Winter!
Ripening Olives
Wine country provides a perfect climate for wine grapes and other delicious foods including olives. The olives around here are ripening and getting ready for their own harvest, which generally occurs after the wine grape harvest.
Foggy mornings
Foggy mornings, that marine layer that creeps in at night and gently rolls back in the morning is the stuff of legends and one thing that makes our growing region unique. We’ve been having lots of magical foggy mornings lately.
Fall Colors
New England may boast and brag about it’s beautiful forest fall colors, but the vineyards in Northern California do not disappoint. The colors across the fields, against the fall … definitely November vibes.
Falcon Kite
As the fruit begins to really ripen (and get sweet) some of our clients use falcon kites to help discourage the birds from collecting their own berries. These are so cool. Here we are installing one for the end of the growing season.
Last Garden Harvest
Our home garden did not disappoint this year. It was all we could do to keep up with harvest all the goodies, and thanks to some extended warmer weather we harvested well into October, eating the last of it this November. Cheers to green thumbs!
End of Season Weed Whacking
Before the rains started, and the thoughts of potential fires were still on everyone’s mind (October anyone?) we had some more requests for a little more weed whacking along the edges of the vineyard. Keeping it clean and clear!
Pinot Noir ready
Harvest is always a wonderfully crazy time. There are so many variables to line up in hopes of catch the grapes at their best. Here are some photos from a Pinot Noir pick this harvest.
Harvest 2021
Harvest is well underway. For us it starts with the Pinot Noir grapes. We pick and night or in the early morning, so the fruit is fresh - cooler, and firmer for transport to the winery.
Vineyard view
Sometimes, you just get that chance for a great view from the top. Francisco was working on the roof of a winery one day, and took this photo. Wine country looking good.
Smoky view
We’ve had some smoky days here in wine country. The all two familiar red morning sun and low hanging haze. Here’s a view from one morning in the vineyard:
Rattlesnake
Every season we come across rattlesnakes in the vineyard. It’s one reason we’re so serious about keep the vineyard rows clear and clean - giving the snakes less area to feel comfortable and hang around. Here’s a picture of one we found working the vineyard rows one day we were…
New Vineyard Infrastructure
Laying out and building new vineyard infrastructure is exiting. The new growth and shiny wires. Here are a few photos from when we added trellis wires to help support the new vine growth.
Veraison 2021
When the grapes begin to turn their purple, pink, red colors we call it veraison. It’s exciting and begins the count down to harvest. Here’s a photo of the change.
Keeping It Clean
It’s hard work, but also satisfying working. Tending the the vines, and keeping the vineyard clean. When the vineyard looks this good, there’s no doubt that it’s been well taken care of.
Second Pass Suckering
The vines are growing, summer sun and all... This gives us an opportunity to do a second pass through the vineyard and sucker the plants. Here are some photos from vineyards that we’ve worked again this month. Cheers!
